Dear Brothers and Sisters
There are many voices clamouring for my attention during the course of every single day; from the moment I wake to my radio alarm until I fall asleep listening to soothing music. Some stridently demand that I listen to them, others mellifluously insinuate my desperate need of them if I am to live a fulfilled and contented life. Signs and hoardings ranging from the plain poster-type to the sophisticated electronic kind pass endlessly in front of my eyes as I course through life’s daily journey. In order to keep my sanity and ensure my inner peace, I have learned through the years to become desensitised. In fact I have made an all-out effort to push these myriad demands and voices out of my ears, eyes, mind and soul as best I can. The result of this is that sometimes I can listen to the Radio and not hear a thing. I can watch the TV and come away after an hour or so and not remember what I have seen. But it is interesting that among all these voices there are some that still get through. I have learned to listen to my Satnav, and I heed the warnings that my computer gives me. Amongst all the clamour, and despite my commitment to the process of desensitisation, there are still some voices that I hear, know and follow!
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.
Obedience is a word and a virtue that doesn’t seem to be in vogue these days. In some people’s minds obedience goes hand in hand with zombie-like allegiance, the denial of personal preference, or the suppression of true freedom of expression. Yet, looking at the readings that we are offered at Mass today, rather than having negative or limiting qualities, the loyal relationship of the sheep to the shepherd and the obedient attitude of the flock to their leader is life-giving and joyful.
Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth….we are his people, the sheep of his flock. (Responsorial Psalm)
….the Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Second Reading)
One of the most used words in the Scriptures is “listen”. But surely it can’t be listening in the weary, purposely desensitised way I was talking about a minute or two ago? No, I am very sure that this is not the case. I think that the type of listening we are asked to do in the Scriptures is “obedient” listening. Let me explain. I looked up the meaning of obedience in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and this is what is said in #144: To obey (from the Latin ob-audire, to “hear or listen to”) in faith is to submit freely to the word that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself. Abraham is the model of such obedience offered us by Sacred Scripture. The Virgin Mary is its most perfect embodiment.
Like Abraham, our Father in faith, like Mary the one who listened to God’s Word, we too are asked today to listen to, to know and to follow the voice of the Good Shepherd. Each one of us is called; each one of us is asked to follow the Lord in living out the gospel in a way that is particular to us. If the voice of the Shepherd is important to us, then we will hear him even amid the tumult of so many other voices, no matter how sweet or demanding they might be.
On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, may we all hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and, listening, obediently follow him in ways that are life-giving and joyful not only for us but for all those with whom we share this good news. Please pray for me, your Shepherd, and also especially for the Successor of St Peter, Pope Francis, for all your priests and deacons who care for each of our “little flocks” around the diocese. Also keep in your prayers those who are discerning God’s will for them regarding the priesthood and religious life in our seminaries and religious houses.
Look upon your flock, kind Shepherd, and be pleased to settle in eternal pastures the sheep you have redeemed by the precious blood of your Son. Who lives for ever and ever. Amen.
Yours in blessed hope,

+ Terence Patrick

Bishop of Middlesbrough